Committee adopts amendment to MAPPA bill, counties press for funding and state case reviews

Senate File 4335, which modifies the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAPPA), advanced in committee after adoption of the A2 amendment. The amendment updates definitions, requires the commissioner to set biennial determinations of who is disproportionately represented in coordination with the African American Child and Family Well‑being Advisory Council, clarifies that certain reviews apply to child protection cases (not broader child welfare), reduces required county case reviews to a representative 10% sample, and contains conforming repeal language.

Sponsor Senator Champion said the amendment reflects extensive stakeholder work and asked the committee to adopt it; Senator Bolden moved the A2 amendment and it was adopted by voice vote. County commissioners from Ramsey, Hennepin, Washington, Otter Tail and other counties (Rena Moran, Irene Fernando, Carla Bigham, Kurt Mortensen) urged the committee to fund implementation, citing significant state‑local administrative burdens and the need to support active‑effort staffing models, culturally responsive services and data systems. Ramsey County requested extending an implementation appropriation availability to align with a 2027 implementation timeline.

Several senators pressed on whether the state will assume case reviews and how the state will fund new work; sponsors said case reviews are being shifted to the state (a 10% sampling initially) and that funding conversations will continue. Members were assured the authors plan to bring an appropriation amendment to address county resource needs. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.